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The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Annual Giving
$300.0M
Grant Range
$250K - $2.0M
Decision Time
3mo

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $300+ million (recent years)
  • Total Funding to Date: $2 billion+
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2 weeks (pre-proposals), 3 months (full proposals)
  • Grant Range: $250,000 - $2,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: International
  • Active Grant Portfolio: ~700 active grants

Contact Details

Website: https://www.michaeljfox.org
Grant Portal: https://grants.michaeljfox.org
Email: grants@michaeljfox.org
Location: New York, NY
EIN: 13-4141945

Overview

Founded in 2000 by actor Michael J. Fox and co-founder Deborah W. Brooks, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) has become the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's disease research. Since inception, the Foundation has funded over $2 billion in research, with approximately 700 active grants in its current portfolio. In 2022, MJFF funded more Parkinson's research than the U.S. government. The Foundation operates with exceptional efficiency, deploying 89 cents of every dollar directly to programs, earning a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator (97% score). Recent funding rounds have awarded over $309 million in April-May 2024 and $86 million in December 2024-January 2025. MJFF's strategic approach prioritizes high-risk, high-reward research that other funders cannot or will not support, with an urgent, patient-centered focus aimed at finding a cure.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Parkinson's Disease Therapeutics Pipeline Program (Industry-focused)

  • Amount: $250,000 - $2,000,000+
  • Focus: Pre-clinical and clinical testing of therapeutics addressing disease progression or symptom burden
  • Eligibility: Industry and industry-academia collaborations only
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with multiple annual deadlines
  • Deadlines: January 16, March 27, June 5, October 9, December 11 (2025), and additional dates

Targets to Therapies Initiative (Launched 2024)

  • Focus: Validating druggable biological targets for PD therapeutics
  • Initial Targets: TMEM175, ATP13A2, MCOLN1/TRPML1, OGA, NOD2
  • Timeline: Validation beginning 2025

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Research

  • Focus: Research in populations excluded from or underrepresented in PD research
  • Goal: Increase inclusivity and broaden understanding of Parkinson's disease

Freezing of Gait Research Program

  • Launched: Spring 2024
  • Focus: Studies addressing freezing of gait in Parkinson's patients

Environmental Exposures Research

  • Launched: Fall 2024
  • Focus: Impact of environmental exposures on stem cells and brain changes

Bridge Funding for Disrupted Neurodegenerative Research (BFDN)

  • Partners: Co-launched with Alzheimer's Association
  • Next Round: August 2025

General Research Grants

  • Amount: Up to $350,000 (varies by program)
  • Types: Investigator-initiated projects, biomarker development, therapeutic development
  • Application Process: One-stage or two-stage (pre-proposal + full application)

Priority Areas

MJFF funds research across three strategic pillars:

  1. Disease-Modifying Therapies: Treatments that can slow, stop, or reverse disease progression
  2. Symptom Management: Better treatments for inadequately addressed symptoms (including freezing of gait, cognitive issues, dyskinesia)
  3. Side Effect Mitigation: Solutions to reduce debilitating side effects of existing medications

Research Focus Areas:

  • Dopamine-based therapies
  • Surgical treatments
  • Disease-modifying therapies
  • Biological targets and cellular mechanisms
  • Cell-based therapies
  • Biomarker development and validation
  • Alpha-synuclein research
  • Environmental exposure studies
  • Genetic research

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not extensively documented, MJFF focuses exclusively on:

  • Research directly related to Parkinson's disease
  • Projects that advance therapeutic development or disease understanding
  • Studies with clear pathway to patient benefit

Indirect Cost Limitations:

  • Non-profit institutions: Maximum 25% of direct costs
  • For-profit organizations: Maximum 10% of direct costs

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Deborah W. Brooks - Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Launched MJFF with Michael J. Fox in 2000, served as founding CEO until 2007, returned to CEO role in May 2021. Oversees overall strategy and organizational direction.

Todd Sherer, PhD - Chief Mission Officer
Neuroscientist who served as CEO for 10 years (2011-2021), now focuses on research strategy and drug development. Oversees key initiatives including PPMI (Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative) and ASAP (Aligning Science Across Parkinson's) collaboration.

Sohini Chowdhury - Chief Program Officer
Joined Foundation in 2005, oversees research programs and partnerships. Previously served as Deputy CEO and Head of Research since 2017.

Brian Fiske, PhD - Chief Scientist, Research Programs
Joined in 2004, develops strategic vision for accelerating research and drug development.

Mark Frasier, PhD - Chief Scientist, Research Programs
Joined in 2006, works on aggressive research agenda aligned with patient needs.

Board of Directors

Jeff Keefer - Board Chairman (since 2015)

Board members include Peter Zaffino (since 2016), Melanie Bolch Isbill, Alex Krys, and Jack Quinn (appointed 2021). The Foundation maintains a 50-member Board of Directors.

Key Quote from Leadership

Michael J. Fox: "When the cure for Parkinson's is found — and it will be — it will be because of all of us."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Funding Opportunities
Visit the Funding Opportunities page for information on open and upcoming Request for Application (RFA) programs.

Step 2: Download Materials
Download the RFA and application template specific to your program of interest.

Step 3: Create Account
Log in or create an account in the MJFF Grant Portal.

Step 4: Submit Application
Submit your completed application through the portal, carefully following submission instructions and using required templates.

Application Formats:

  • One-stage process: Submit full application directly
  • Two-stage process: Submit pre-proposal (Letter of Intent), then invited applicants submit full application

Important Notes:

  • MJFF holds informational webinars during each open RFA period
  • Questions should be submitted well in advance of deadlines
  • Contact grants@michaeljfox.org for programmatic, fiscal, and administrative inquiries

Decision Timeline

Pre-Proposal (Letter of Intent): Decisions communicated within 2 weeks of submission

Full Proposals: Funding decisions communicated within 3 months of full proposal submission

Review Process:

  • Applications evaluated by MJFF scientific staff and a grant review committee
  • Expedited granting mechanism with minimum of two reviewers per submission
  • For two-stage programs, invited applicants receive written feedback
  • MJFF staff work with applicants to define flexible and fast review options

Post-Decision:

  • All review decisions are final; no appeals process available
  • For one-stage programs, no written critiques provided

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, MJFF maintains a portfolio of approximately 700 active grants and has funded over $2 billion in research to date, indicating substantial ongoing grant-making capacity.

Reapplication Policy

MJFF actively encourages resubmissions:

  • Applicants are permitted and encouraged to re-submit reviewed Letter of Intent applications
  • Resubmissions should address feedback provided by MJFF
  • For Therapeutics Pipeline Program, applicants can re-submit revised pre-proposals addressing prior feedback
  • Rolling submission opportunities available for certain programs

Application Success Factors

Scientific Rationale & Patient Impact

MJFF prioritizes projects that "address an area of critical unmet need for people with Parkinson's." Successful applications clearly articulate:

  • Essential pre-clinical and/or clinical rationale
  • How the project fits within the critical pathway for moving ideas toward new treatment options
  • Direct relevance to improving patients' daily lives

As stated in their application guidelines: "Proposed projects should address an area of critical unmet need for people with Parkinson's. Applicants should provide all essential pre-clinical and/or clinical rationale and indicate clearly how a particular project fits within the critical pathway for moving an idea or therapy closer toward new treatment options for patients."

Innovation and Risk-Taking

MJFF explicitly states: "MJFF likes to take grantmaking risks, so innovative groups should pay attention." The Foundation seeks projects that:

  • Lead to novel therapeutic strategies or significant improvements
  • Tackle high-risk, high-reward challenges
  • Address critical scientific roadblocks
  • Pursue approaches that other funders cannot or will not support

According to their guidelines: "Applicants should justify how proposed efforts will lead ultimately to novel therapeutic strategies or significant improvement."

Investigative Team & Environment

Applications are assessed on whether:

  • The investigative team is "appropriately trained and well suited to carrying out the proposed work"
  • The environment has "sufficient access to resources to ensure successful completion of the project"
  • Potential problem areas and alternative strategies are outlined
  • The team represents diverse backgrounds (Foundation "strongly encourages applications from a wide and diverse range of investigators, including those who represent groups historically underrepresented in the research enterprise")

Clarity and Detail

From application guidelines: "Applicants should ensure that submitted proposals fit the goals of the funding program and are written clearly and logically, with sufficient details to ensure that reviewers understand all critical aspects of the proposed project methods and plan."

Value-Added Benefits

Successful applicants gain access to:

  • A network of MJFF staff advisors and external partners
  • Milestone-driven funding approach
  • Potential for follow-on funding opportunities
  • Integration into MJFF's broader research ecosystem

Pre-Application Engagement

MJFF "welcomes the opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants regarding any MJFF funding program." They encourage:

  • Attending informational webinars during open RFA periods
  • Asking questions well in advance of submission deadlines
  • Consulting with MJFF staff on proposal development

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • High-risk, high-reward welcome: MJFF explicitly funds innovative, risky projects that other funders avoid. Don't shy away from ambitious proposals with clear patient benefit.

  • Patient impact is paramount: Every application must clearly articulate the pathway to improving lives of people with Parkinson's. The Foundation operates with urgency and patient-centered focus.

  • Engage early and often: Take advantage of informational webinars, pre-submission consultations, and the Foundation's willingness to answer questions. MJFF staff work collaboratively with applicants.

  • Resubmission is encouraged: If initially unsuccessful, reapply with revisions addressing MJFF feedback. The Foundation actively encourages resubmissions.

  • Expect fast decisions: With 2-week turnaround for pre-proposals and 3-month decisions for full applications, MJFF moves quickly compared to traditional funders like NIH.

  • Efficiency matters: With only 10-25% indirect costs allowed (depending on institution type), MJFF maximizes funds going directly to research. Applications should reflect efficient use of resources.

  • Diverse investigators valued: MJFF "strongly encourages applications from a wide and diverse range of investigators, including those who represent groups historically underrepresented in the research enterprise."

References

Accessed: December 2024

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